What this topic is telling us that we should not attribute what happened to the thief to us. For the thief the only moments he had was at the cross with Jesus Christ and there was no need of baptism after repentance.
At the cross was the last moment the thief had and there was no time for him to be baptized that to obey the commandment of God which is baptism and being with Jesus Christ the owner of the commandment , who promised him a place of no pain. Comparing what happened to our present depersation, Jesus Christ has given the privilege to repent and which is baptism.
No one will say he /she has nit heard the message of being born again as preached through God servants over the world. There is no short path or way in the journey of christain. God words are followed by obedience to His principles which means you can man over it
Now we still have the opportunity to be saved and baptised. Let us not missed the grace He has given to us in vain
